The Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) is preparing to conduct inspections of pharmacy institutions for the 2024-2025 academic session. It has issued a circular detailing the guidelines for the inspection process. This circular was issued on June 14, 2024.
What’s Being Inspected?
- Infrastructure facilities
- Human resources (faculty and staff)
- Other resources as per regulations
These inspections will be carried out by specially empaneled inspectors. The inspections shall be conducted entirely through a mobile application (PCI Inspection App) available on Google Play Store for Android devices (minimum 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, Android 12+). Inspectors will download the app and user manual from the PCI website.
What Happens During an Inspection?
Inspectors will receive a “deputation letter” with details of assigned institutions. They must accept or reject the assignment within 24 hours.
Accepted assignments require completion of inspections and submission of reports within 7 working days.
Inspectors are expected to:
- Verify details against information submitted by institutions.
- Take photos of facilities and resources.
- Submit factual reports through the mobile app.
- Conduct meetings with students (without faculty present).
Strict adherence to professional conduct is required. Inspectors must not accept hospitality or gifts from institutions. They shall not make subjective remarks in reports. Furthermore, they shall not provide any assurance or recommendations regarding approval.
Consequences for Non-Compliance
Failure to follow guidelines or engage in malpractice could lead to blacklisting and potential legal action.
